EasyPower 10.0 Release Details
This topic describes new EasyPower features and enhancements, as well as bug fixes that are included in the release.
For information on the latest service packs for this release, see 10.0 SP2 Release Notes and 10.0 SP1 Release Notes.
Note: New release features often include changes to the database. This may affect what you see in the Database Browser and also what is included when you export data into CSV files. If your existing work processes rely on information from the database, be sure to review your processes after you update your software.
New and Enhanced Feature Details
IEC Short Circuit Enhancements and Integration with Coordination
Cables
For IEC short circuit calculations, resistances for maximum and minimum currents are based on the conductor temperatures specified in IEC-60909-0. These values are different from the ones shown in the cable data dialog boxes for positive and zero sequence resistances. The values shown are based on the conductor temperature specified in the Specifications 2 tab of the data dialog boxes and are used in ANSI short circuit, power flow, harmonics, and dynamic stability analysis.
Generators
If in Tools > Options > System, the short circuit calculation method is set to IEC 60909 and the option (under Equipment) is set to Show fields and X/R calculations based on IEC 60909, the following changes occur on the Impedance tab of the Generator Data dialog box:
- The following IEC fields are available: RG (ohms), pG%, and RGf/X"d. The field RGf / X"d has been added for synchronous generators to allow peak current calculations.
- The RPM defaults to 3000 (unless a different default RPM has been stored in the Default.db equipment defaults file).
Also, the X/R ratio field now appears on the Impedance tab.
Panels
For IEC, the Enclosure field has been renamed to IP Code. You can manually type text for the International Protection Code.
Transformers
- On the TCC tab, there is a new IEC 76-5.4 option available under the Damage Curve Standard list. When this standard is selected, you can specify the Minimum Damage Time. The thermal ability of the transformer to withstand short circuit is plotted for the time specified here. The default is 2 seconds.
- Transformer Phase Shift as per IEC 60076-1: The short-circuit calculation provides the phase angle of the branch currents and the bus voltages at various equipment. The phase angles displayed are relative to the applied equivalent voltage source being at zero angle. Transformers that have different winding configurations, such as a delta connection on one side and a star (wye) connection on the other side, have a designated shift in the phase angles of currents and voltages. For remote buses and branches across transformers, a phase angle shift is applied accordingly by the short circuit calculations. The IEC 60076-1 standard specifies clock number notation and their respective phase angle shift for transformers. EasyPower provides the necessary phase angle shift of remote voltages and currents for IEC rated transformers in the IEC short circuit analysis. For transformers with delta and start (wye) winding connections, the clock notations 1,3,5,7,9 and 11 are supported in the database. These have 30, 90, 150, 210, 270 and 330 degrees phase shift respectively based on the high voltage side taken as the reference. For ANSI rated transformers, a fixed +30/-30 degrees phase shift is applied.
- Newly added IEC transformers default to a D-YN connection with a phase shift of 11, unless a transformer on the one-line was edited previously, in which case the previous transformer's settings are used. The defaults can be changed through Tools > Equipment Defaults.
- For two winding transformers, the @MVA or @kVA Base related to impedance for the transformer is based on the standard. ANSI uses the self-cooled rating. IEC uses the forced-cooled (MVA O/L) or the higher rating when there is dual rating.
- On the Impedance tab, if the Show fields and X/R calculations based on IEC 60909 is selected in Tools > Options > System, a new pT% field is displayed. This is an impedance correction factor for generator step-up transformers.
Short Circuit Clipping and Tick Marks in TCC Plots
Protective device time-current characteristic curves (TCC) can now be clipped at the maximum IEC short circuit current that will flow through the device. You can clip the TCC curve using one of the following currents:
- The initial current
- The breaking currents (0.02, 0.05, 0.1, and 0.25)
- The steady state currents
For the breaking current, the default global time interval can be set in the Short Circuit Options > Control.
For individual protective devices such as relays, low voltage circuit breakers and fuses, you choose the desired breaking time from the equipment data dialog box.
When the short circuit calculations are set to IEC 60909, you can insert short circuit tick marks in the TCC for individual protective devices. You can select the check boxes for Initial, Breaking, and Steady State currents in the protective device data dialog boxes.
You can insert user-defined short circuit tick marks into a TCC based on initial, breaking, or steady state faults. You can choose the Insert SC Tick Mark command from the TCC menu or the right-click context menu, and enter the desired parameters.
The short circuit currents used for TCC clipping or tick marks are automatically adjusted based on the fault location. When you plot a TCC for the first time, all protective devices use the maximum fault current possible based on the nearest bus being faulted. When you fault individual buses, the program updates the clipping currents and the tick marks.
All protective device dialogs have been updated to show the IEC terminology.
Motors
- For IEC synchronous motors, when the short circuit calculation method is set to IEC 60909, the RMf/X"d field is available on the Short Circuit tab. This represents the ratio of fictitious resistance to the subtransient reactance that is used in peak current calculations.
- The ANSI Code field is removed from the Impedance tab if IEC SC is selected.
- If the short circuit calculation method is set as IEC 60909, the RPM defaults to 1500 (unless a different default RPM has been stored in the Default.db equipment default file).
Protective Devices
- For high and low voltage breakers, fuses, and switches, you can specify the device test standard of ANSI or IEC even though the Manufacturer, Type, and Style are not yet selected. This enables you to set the short circuit ratings for devices that are in the process of being designed or specified.
TCC Options - Short Circuit Control Tab
- Under TCC Short Circuit (SC) Currents, the option Calculated from SC is now available for IEC short circuit currents.
- The X/R Calculation Method is hidden when the short circuit calculation method is set to IEC 60909.
- Driving Point kV PU now includes IEC in the label if the short circuit calculation method is set to IEC 60909.
Remote V&I
Remote current is available in IEC short circuit. Clicking Remote V/I after a single-bus fault displays the remote currents and the remote bus voltages on the one-line. (This functionality already existed in ANSI.)
Sample Files
There is a new sample one-line for IEC named Protection-IEC.dez. This is used to provide IEC examples for the coordination tutorial. A new IEC-specific coordination tutorial is available from the Start Page.
Short Circuit (IEC) Menu
There is an IEC version of the Short Circuit menu, which includes the following options for display on the one-line:
- Remote Voltage and Current.
- Initial currents.
- Breaking currents (.02, .05, .10, .25).
- Steady State currents.
Short Circuit Options (IEC)
There is a separate set of options for IEC when the short circuit calculation method is set to IEC 60909.
Control Tab
- There is a new set of options for Peak Calculation Method, including Method B, Method C, and Worst Case. The default is Method C.
- The IEC C Factor options have been moved from the Tools > Options > System tab to the Short Circuit Options > Control tab.
- There is a new option for IEC DC Driving Point Voltage. This IEC value does not affect ANSI.
- There is a new For unbalanced faults, use 3-phase peak ratio check box. Select this option to ensure unbalanced faults such as single-line-to-ground, line-to-ground, and double-line-to-ground use the X/R ratio of the 3-phase fault to calculate the peak current in method C. If this option is not selected, the X/R of the unbalanced fault is used for peak current calculations. This option is not available for method B.
Text Output Tab
There are numerous reports options available for IEC in a variety of formats:
- Initial HV & LV Report
- Breaking HV & LV Reports
- Steady State Reports
- Short Circuit 909 Report
- Equipment Duty Report
- Voltage Sensitivity Report (Single Fault Only)
- For initial and breaking reports, you can specify the formats desired (Simple, Medium, or Detailed). You can specify the unit format for the Symmetrical Components Format in Sequence Per-unit, Phase Amps, or Phase Per-unit).
Note: For IEC Breaking HV and LV reports, if no breaking time is selected, the default is 0.1 second.
One-line Output Tab
- There is a new option to Show All Remote V&I for Single Bus Faults. (This was already available in ANSI.)
- There are new options to enable Voltage Sensitivity Highlighting for High and Low Voltage Remote Buses.
- You can display units for Remote Bus Voltage (Sym) in Per-unit and kV.
Custom One-line Text and Equipment Data
- The installation of EasyPower now includes a text template file (TextTemplate.eztxt) that contains the default text formats, display items, and positioning. Your one-lines display the default EasyPower text if a custom text template file has not been created for the one-line.
- There is a new tab in Tools > Options for One-line Text. You now can control what text and data appear with each item on the one-line. Your changes are stored in a custom text template, which is stored in the one-line when you save it.
- You can export your custom one-line text into a new text template file and import the customizations into other one-lines.
- You can set the decimal precision for decimal fields in transformers, generators, transmission lines, motors, MCCs, and panels. Options for decimals include maximum decimal places, fixed decimal places, and significant digits.
Custom One-line Symbols
- During installation, you are prompted whether you want to use the ANSI or IEC symbols as the default symbols. You can change this later in Tools > Options > One-line Symbols.
- There are new IEC symbols for utilities, capacitors, shunt reactors, filters, two and three winding transformers, current limiting reactors, high and low voltage breakers, switches, fused switches, automated transfer switches, current transformers, and relays.
- Symbols in the Equipment Palette, Insert menu, and other areas of EasyPower display ANSI or IEC symbols based on the base symbol selection in Tools > Options > One-line Symbols.
- Each one-line uses the base ANSI or IEC symbol set, but you can also create custom symbols for your one-lines. Custom symbol templates are part of the one-line and can be exported and imported into other one-lines.
- When you copy and paste custom symbols, the symbols defined in the target one-line are the symbols that are displayed.
2017 National Electric Code (NEC) Compliance
This release includes changes that comply with the 2017 National Electric Code (NEC) regarding 110.16(B), Arc-Flash Hazard Warning of Service Equipment.
2018 NFPA 70E Compliance
This release also includes changes that comply with the 2018 NFPA 70E standard including updates to arc flash approach boundaries, PPE levels, and labels. You now have the ability to display incident energy in joules/cm2. The device library has been updated to reference the new 70E tables.
AutoDesign
In the Options > General tab, there is a new Use per phase bases for Code Factor kVA calculations check box. While performing NEC-based load calculations by load type groups, the demand factors can be applied based on total load for all phases. This is a different option from the per-phase totals, which provided conservative results.
Automatic Backups
The first time you save your one-line, a copy of the file is stored in a backup folder (Documents\EasyPower 10.0\Oneline Backups). For subsequent saves, the program makes a copy of the file in the last saved state prior to the current save. This file is stored in the same folder as the .DEZ file and has an extension of .BAK. This ensures you have backup copies of your original and last saved one-line files.
Cables, Busways, and Transmission Line Defaults
You can now specify a default style and weight for cables, busway, and transmission lines in the Default Equipment settings for each type of line. New lines are created with these default settings. The settings can be overridden on individual line items.
Chinese EasyPower Version
EasyPower is now available in a translated version for Chinese. Both the user interface and the product documentation have been translated.
Dynamic Stability
We've added several white papers for induction motors that are referenced in the dynamic stability documentation. The papers are available from the Start Page under Documents.
DXF Export
For DXF export, the output matches EasyPower's new symbols (including custom symbols) as well as text.
File Properties
- You can now select a one-line text template.
- The layout was changed to more closely match the File Locations layout along with other improvements.
Harmonics Spectra Report
The Harmonics Spectra Report now shows the frequency next to the harmonic number.
MCCs
When Units on the Specification tab is set to Metric:
- On the Description tab, the Load Type list displays 37kW instead of 50 HP.
- The motor labels on the Short Circuit tab display 37 kW instead of 50 HP.
- The columns in the Summary tab display 37 kW instead of 50 HP.
Media Gallery
When you double-click to open an image in the Media Gallery, the image now opens in the application you have chosen to be your image viewer for the file type. This enables you to use the functions of the image viewer as well as to simultaneously view the image while editing data in EasyPower.
Modeling Low Voltages
Equipment can now be modeled down to 1 Volt.
OnSite Enhancements
We have made improvements to the process for importing OnSite files into EasyPower one-lines, including an improved one-line layout and better equipment matching.
Options
Equipment Tab
- There is a new check box to Show fields and X/R calculations based on IEC 60909. If the short circuit calculation method for the system is set to IEC 60909, the check box is selected by default until it is changed. Generators, motors and transformers will show or hide IEC fields based on this option.
- There is a new check box to Use 75C cable in Air rating table for Raceway Type Air. This is for displaying the terminal rating based on 75°C cable rating. By default, the check box is not selected based on the NEC requirement of the use of ampacity for 75°C cable in cable or conduit.
- The short circuit calculation method (selected on the System tab) determines which units appear for X/R Calculation for Grouped Motors (HP or kW).
File Locations Tab
The File Locations tab has been reorganized to group files more appropriately.
General Tab
The check box to Graphically show incoming main on MCCs and Panels has been removed. This is now controlled by the one-line symbol customization.
System Tab
The Short Circuit Calculation Method name was changed from IEC to IEC 60909.
Power Flow
In power flow, if the transformer Unit is Metric, the primary amps are used as the rating for overload calculations. For other unit types, the secondary amps are used.
Relays
In the Relay Data dialog box for the Instantaneous setting, when the Pickup range is set to <None> or Disabled, the Instantaneous Delay data is now removed. This avoids the need for you to delete delay settings and prevents a warning message from appearing when you click OK in the dialog box.
Setting System Defaults During Product Activation
When you authorize EasyPower for the first time, you have the options to set your system defaults.
- Frequency (50 or 60 Hz).
- Default symbol set (ANSI or IEC).
- Default short circuit calculations (ANSI or IEC).
- Unit (US or Metric).
These can be changed later in Tools > Options System if needed.
Start Page
- The Start Page will be automatically updated periodically with EasyPower-related content from the web.
- A new in-product tutorial has been added for Protective Device Coordination (IEC).
Title Block Templates
New title block templates are available for A4 and A3 formats.
UPSs
On the Specifications tab, the Short Circuit Output options are Initial, Breaking, and Steady State if the short circuit calculation method is set to IEC 60909.
Bug Fixes
The following issues are fixed in the 10.0 release:
- The program would stop responding when attempting to print a TCC to a PDF.
- The program stopped responding after selecting auto-coordinate for a .DEZ that had problems with cable data.
- The program stopped responding due to an issue with a two winding transformer in a drawing.
- Inserting a CT in a drawing caused the program to stop responding.
- Deleting an item in a drawing caused the program to stop responding.
- Changing the arc flash method from Momentary to Integrated and back would cause the program to stop responding.
- The program would stop responding when opening a scenario due to some equipment missing graphics data.
- The program stopped responding when entering the Power Flow focus due to missing graphics.
- The program stopped responding when entering the Short Circuit focus with closed automatic transfer switch breakers.
- The program stopped responding when opening the Short Circuit focus due to a disconnected adjustable frequency drive.
- The program failed to open a new or existing one-line in certain circumstances.
- The program would not open Excel files after exporting an Equipment Duty Report.
- Selecting a customized page size when printing a drawing caused the drawing to appear black.
- Metric units were not printing on drawing PDFs.
- The IEEE/WSCC Format on the Power Flow Detail Report was fixed.
- The Design Factor default was not being saved in EasyPower 9.8.
- The ST ZSI (I^x)t setting was not matching the ST Phase Trip (I^x)t.
- The gray circle around an LV breaker symbol was not being displayed when the ZSI function was enabled.
- The fundamental amps of an inverter were not displaying the correct value.
- Temporary changes were not being saved in the TCC in Coordination.
- A DC system was able to connect to an AC system without a rectifier or inverter.
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Fonts on the Database Report in a PDF printout appeared at different sizes.
- Using print preview on a TCC did not display the one-line and TCC properly.
- The program would not plot a TCC for selected items even though they were selected.
- Attempting to move a two winding transformer after importing from SKM would cause EasyPower to display an error message.
- Certain fields in panel schedules were not imported during an SKM import.
- A zigzag transformer displayed zero contribution when faulting all buses on a one-line.
- Positive and negative signing on buses in power flow reports were not consistent with the one-line.
- SmartDesign was not performing sizing on an adjustable frequency drive.
- Relay curves were not showing correctly on the TCC for certain instantaneous settings.
- Schedule font sizes and text were different than in previous software versions after exporting to DXF.
- Text appeared on the one-line instead of values when the one-line was overloaded during Power Flow analysis.
- Power Flow would not run unless a certain UPS was deactivated.
- Starting a motor in Power Flow for a metric motor displayed MSHP on the one-line instead of MSkW.
- MCCs and panels, the dialog box would not display library load information from the device library.
- The relay curve at the clipping point extended to the left of the TCC plot.
- Text on the TCC repositioned themselves after the mouse wheel was double-clicked.
- Values of total loads were missing in switchgear schedules. New schedule variables have been added.
- Schedules were not automatically updating in drawings.
- Scenarios not storing the scaling for schedules.
- The time difference indicator was not showing for low voltage breaker ground curves or storing the data in TCC.
- Protective device TCCs were not showing when connected to capacitors.
- Some TCC defaults were not being saved.
- In TCCs, the selection of the fault type and the View Phase/Ground option has been enhanced for consistency.
More Information
| EasyPower 10.0 Release Notes | 10.0 SP1 Release Notes |
| 10.0 SP2 Release Notes |
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